I have been performing at a CT that has it's cast come out to the front of the theater after every performance IN COSTUME to greet the patrons and "say hello"  Most of the cast hate this as they feel that it takes away from the magic of the production and we feel like we are fishing for compliments, not to mention awkward.  I have been a patron there and there were times when I didn't want to talk to the cast afterwards because I didn't feel it was a good show.  We just feel that it is totally unprofessional and if there are patrons that want to congradulate the cast, they will stick around outside the stage door for them to get the makeup off and get dressed.  Does any other theater have this policy and how is it recieved.  We have begged the PTB to change the policy to no avail......

I, too, have been in productions where this was the custom, but since the show is over at that point and my not being there will not harm it in any way, I don't feel any obligation to stand out there, feeling self conscious afterward.  What are they going to do, remove me from the cast?  Some actors relish the attention (usually children), and they're out there getting all they can.  People who want to see the cast afterward will hang around until the actors come out of the dressing room, so I think it is rather juvenile and unprofessional to do the "meet and greet."  I just won't do it, but I also don't make a big issue of it.

At our theatre it is a tradition for those cast members that wish to to come out of the door near the stage after a performance(in costume) to speak with family and friends.

I like what Elwood's theater does!

As far as the "meet and greet" I echo what others have said. I hate it as an actor and audience member and am glad we don't do it anymore. One theater I worked at once it almost felt like a race with all the actors rushing up front to line up at the doors before the audience could bolt. 
As an audience member, I don't always want to wait in a wedding like reception line to glad hand everyone even if I liked the show. And if the show is bad, it's awful for everyone involved.  As an audience member you have go through the line and essentially lie to everyone and as an actor you have to stand there and listen to people lie to you--"Gosh! That was very interesting. You must have had a good time with that part!"


Edited by jayzehr - 3/09/10 at 7:01pm

I don't have a problem with a meet and greet situation AS LONG AS the cast is not in a receiving line situation forcing everyone to file through.

I've been to shows where I absolutely just wanted to get the heck out of town.  I don't want to be forced to meet everyone and shake their hand.

I'm ok with mingling ... just no receiving lines, please.